{"title":"Orthopaedic mattresses","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat is an orthopaedic mattress?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn orthopaedic mattress is one its maker describes as especially supportive, usually meaning a firmer build; in the UK the word has no legal or medical definition, so it isn't proof of any health benefit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn practice, orthopaedic (or ortho) often signals a firmer spring unit or firmer foam, with less soft padding on top. Because there's no standard behind it, two mattresses both called orthopaedic can feel quite different, and a mattress without the label can be just as supportive. The firmness grade tells you more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLabel\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat it tells you\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOn our 1 to 10 scale\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrthopaedic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA description of a supportive build, with no fixed meaning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVaries, so check each mattress page\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA firmness grade: you lie on top of the mattress\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 to 10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedium-firm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA firmness grade: supportive, with a little give\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 to 8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a family-run shop, we'd rather explain what a label means than lean on it to sell you a mattress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIs an orthopaedic mattress good for back pain?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn orthopaedic mattress isn't a treatment for back pain, and firmer isn't automatically better: a 2003 trial published in The Lancet found people with chronic lower back pain did better on a medium-firm mattress than a firm one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's worth knowing, because orthopaedic usually means firmer. The trial, by Kovacs and colleagues, is one study rather than the final word, and it can't tell you what suits your back. If you have ongoing back pain, see a GP or physiotherapist, who can advise on your own back. What a mattress can do is support you evenly for the way you sleep, and a sagging mattress stops doing that, whatever it was called when it was new. Our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mattresses-for-back-pain\"\u003emattresses for back pain\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/medium-firm-mattresses\"\u003emedium-firm mattresses\u003c\/a\u003e are good places to start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho suits an orthopaedic mattress?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrthopaedic mattresses usually suit back sleepers, front sleepers, heavier builds and people who simply like a firm feel, because firmer support stops the hips sinking too far.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBack sleepers:\u003c\/strong\u003e medium to medium-firm keeps the lower back supported.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFront sleepers:\u003c\/strong\u003e medium-firm to firm, so the hips don't sink and arch the back.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeavier builds:\u003c\/strong\u003e a deeper mattress with a strong spring unit and firm edges. There's more in our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mattresses-for-heavier-people\"\u003emattresses for heavier people\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSide sleepers:\u003c\/strong\u003e often better off with something softer. Shoulders and hips need to sink in, which usually means medium-soft to medium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighter adults and children:\u003c\/strong\u003e often find very firm mattresses hard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOrthopaedic or memory foam: which is better?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrthopaedic and memory foam aren't opposites: orthopaedic describes how firm and supportive a mattress is, while memory foam describes what it's made of, and some memory foam mattresses are sold as orthopaedic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat you're really choosing between is feel. A firm, orthopaedic-style mattress, such as one built on a firm \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pocket-sprung-mattresses\"\u003epocket spring\u003c\/a\u003e unit, keeps you more on top of the surface, which suits back and front sleepers. Memory foam lets shoulders and hips sink in, which suits side sleepers. If both appeal, a medium-firm mattress with a memory foam layer over springs gives you some of each.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow do I choose a supportive mattress without relying on the label?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo choose a supportive mattress, look past the word orthopaedic to three things you can check: the firmness number, what's inside, and whether the mattress suits your sleep position and weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirmness number:\u003c\/strong\u003e there's no industry-wide firmness scale, so compare mattresses within one shop. Ours runs from 1, soft, to 10, firm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e a strong spring unit or a dense foam base, with firm edges if you often sit on the side of the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e heavier sleepers usually do better on a deeper mattress, often 25 cm and over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBase and condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e a firm mattress on a sagging base won't support you evenly. Check the slat spacing your mattress maker recommends, and remember a topper can soften a mattress but can't fix one that sags.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you already know the feel you want, browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/firm-mattresses\"\u003efirm mattresses\u003c\/a\u003e by number instead of by label. If you're unsure about a particular mattress, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eask us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"orthosupport-orthopaedic-mattress","title":"OrthoSupport Orthopaedic Mattress","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe OrthoSupport is a firm, double-sided coil sprung mattress for people who prefer to lie on a mattress rather than sink into it. It suits teenagers' and adults' beds and guest rooms, in five sizes from single to super king.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts support comes from 12.5-gauge coil springs. The lower the gauge, the thicker the spring wire, so these give a firm, stable base. On top sit 1100 g of polyester fillings under a tufted damask cover, with air vents around the border and handles to make turning easier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrthopaedic has no legal definition in the UK; here it means a firm, supportive build, 9 on our 1 to 10 scale. At 23 cm deep it's for beds at standard height and divans, not bunk beds or high sleepers. Turn it over and rotate it regularly so it wears evenly. It arrives flat and wrapped, ready to use.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bedmaster","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":55002224623954,"sku":"MJORTHOSUP30","price":219.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small double","offer_id":55002224656722,"sku":"MJORTHOSUP40","price":299.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Double","offer_id":55002224689490,"sku":"MJORTHOSUP46","price":299.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"King","offer_id":55002224722258,"sku":"MJORTHOSUP50","price":329.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Super king","offer_id":55002224755026,"sku":"MJORTHOSUP60","price":399.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1118\/1768\/7378\/files\/OrthoSupport-24-Mattress-2.jpg?v=1791555608"},{"product_id":"memorysupport-memory-sprung-mattress","title":"MemorySupport Memory Sprung Mattress","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe MemorySupport is a firm sprung mattress with a thin layer of memory foam on top, for people who like a solid, supportive bed with a little cushioning. It suits teenagers' and adults' beds and spare rooms, in five sizes from single to super king.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 12.5-gauge coil spring unit gives it a firm base. Above the springs sit 700 g of polyester filling and a 10 mm layer of memory foam, which moulds to the body, all under a quilted soft-knit jersey cover with air vents and built-in handles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 25 cm deep it's made for beds at standard height, divans and guest beds, and it's too deep for bunk beds, high sleepers, mid sleepers and cabin beds. It's one-sided, so it doesn't need flipping: just turn it head to foot every so often so it wears evenly. It arrives flat and wrapped, ready to use.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bedmaster","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":55002225410386,"sku":"MJMEMSUP30","price":249.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small double","offer_id":55002225443154,"sku":"MJMEMSUP40","price":349.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Double","offer_id":55002225475922,"sku":"MJMEMSUP46","price":349.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"King","offer_id":55002225508690,"sku":"MJMEMSUP50","price":399.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Super king","offer_id":55002225541458,"sku":"MJMEMSUP60","price":449.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1118\/1768\/7378\/files\/MemorySupport-25-Mattress-2.jpg?v=1791555617"},{"product_id":"bedmaster-guardian-orthopaedic-mattress","title":"Guardian Orthopaedic Mattress","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Guardian is a traditional open coil mattress with a sturdy, medium-firm feel. It's often bought for a guest bed, and it's just as good on an everyday bed for a growing child, a teenager or an adult who likes a firmer mattress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's built on a 12.5-gauge open coil spring unit: thicker spring wire for firm, even support. Polyester comfort layers sit over the springs, under a soft-touch textured damask cover, and hand tufting holds the fillings in place so they stay evenly spread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it fit your bed?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt about 15 cm (6 inches) deep, the Guardian suits guest beds, standard beds and divans, and bunk beds, high sleepers and mid sleepers that take a mattress up to 16 cm deep. If your raised bed gives a 15 cm maximum, choose a 15 cm mattress such as the MemoryDream 15 instead. The sizes are UK sizes, 190 cm long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTurn it over and rotate it regularly so it wears evenly. It arrives flat and wrapped, ready to use.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bedmaster","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":55002235011410,"sku":"GUARDIAN2","price":160.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small double","offer_id":55002235044178,"sku":"GUARDIAN3","price":225.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Double","offer_id":55002235076946,"sku":"GUARDIAN4","price":225.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small single","offer_id":55002235109714,"sku":"GUARDIAN1","price":160.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1118\/1768\/7378\/files\/Guardian-Orthopaedic-Sprung-Mattress-2.jpg?v=1791555664"}],"url":"https:\/\/mattresstown.co.uk\/collections\/orthopaedic-mattresses.oembed","provider":"Mattress Town","version":"1.0","type":"link"}